Hairdressing apparatus



Nov. 16, 1943. G. M. HIGGINS 2,334,489

HAIR DRESSING APPARATUS Filed May 17,- 1941 MIT/v5.5.5 v

Patented Nov. 16, 1943 Theinventon relatestohair` dressing and par?l ticularly to the drying-.of the hair after'orras the.. nal step of the.- waving, andlother treatments or processes inwhich-a; heated, dryer isfemployed. Under such circurrlstances,` ief., during,-V

the drying step ofy these, treatinent-sk there is,a

tendency onv-thepart orthecustomer tobecome drowsy and lose consciousness. Inftheseinstances the head-droops o r falls forwardly and-,on recovery; withfthe sudden returntoeonsciousness,l it is apt toybob upagainstthefdryer with resulting bumps; orv bruises andit isalso notable that from weariness; inattentiom or drowsinessV the, headV is for a; large portion of theedryingperiod; more orlessf displaced from the most` efficient.4 drying relation or the h'airfto. the-dryer: A The invention provides a support furthe-head. which permits rest and-relaxation Off `thefnrk musclesV during; the drying period and; *prevents noddingfrordrooping of the headjandzconsequent bumps, bruises, and other,disuonrriorts;iuoidenirto the operationv of; the@dryer` as ,at-:present emeployed, and which particularly preventswdisplaaer ment. from drying position :and "loss:- oit timer ofc' the customer; and ofithe estahljslinierrlef4 a i As, hair dressing, parlors; and-tha likeifwherefthis service is performed doy not; armi-1erprosvde `sui'icient attendants so. that :each custolmusis fully attended throughout;y the. treatmentA it:v is; considered undesirable; and feiten hazardoustogusef any equipment. .to support;vv the:- head-whichpzislnbt so arranged that'the -custnmercarr easily'iand; instantaneously: releaseu herself fromithe dryery otherwise great discorrrfortl due to: overheating may result in addition tolweariness;` crampingrf and straining of the neck muscles due toenior'ced and prolongedcontact with 'the heater andi/ori similarly enforced retention of: 'av single LpflJsi-timv ofthehead.V Y i w The object ofthe invention-isteprovideea-'supi-:

portV adapted,V to various makesA ofidryerssandf will not cause the head 1te=drop-or-droop 'orf proper heatingv and drying relation with the hea/ter. This support -isnot only'convenientlyadliist able to the variousl customers but adaptedto be' positioned in operative1'fe1a1' iorrtq.anydrzyerthej operative position being yieldablygmaintained-and i customer can, at;will, swingjitil-aside and bei-nr. stantaneously released .from the dryer and thus enabledsat .Wi1l,to, Inove. doumwardly and/ or laterally out off heatingk range of, theldryeu. complete, relaxation being possible without(` loss Tof. Qicienvy-ndryllg; all@ Without chance ofgeven Inithaaccompanyingf drawing; I: have illustrated. adryr and dryer stand equipped with a. chinsupportimaecordance withthein-vention. Y

s Inthedrawingz; u i u i u Eiga 1 is ,a1 side elevation Aoi the dryer,v dryer stand, and the support inoperative relation, the dryer stand :beinefrag-niente,rlyV shown.`

FigsV Zeissy an elevationshowingf the support or rest; and, armis also, showing ffragmentarily, adj as cent1; portiquem es the dryerqstand to which; itis attached, Y Y r Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the support orrest, 2li-interni.` er

Eigyigisi an elevation, or the: rest :ori support and itsrarmseandr the adiaeent portions; of the: stand fag-:Seen 20111 the-:lghiifil Eg S,.;2 and. 3L

Referring to the drawing,f by.numera1s, eaelref which'isuusedzy to indicates-the same on similar partsinffthe diierentpgures, the apparatus as shown, having particular; referencetolig. V11 in..- cludes an upright tubular stand:v L31 in. which is.

agi-insitedispositionV'by-meansfof` a setfscrew 3. This sldingi rod: 2i. forked* at ,its upper'end'. at: 4, carryingzpivotally mounted between 'the arms ofthe fork 4 a dryer 5 which, according to the usual prarztirregf wouldV contain; .ani electric. heating-unit notirshiown;`4 Therodll as shown has: albossz or shoulder 2.'f-to. limit; itslentrancel-into the. tubular upright ,1;1' Fig. 11 also suggests@ a customer in thefusualheatingand' dryingy relation toitheid'ryer. Thedetaiis-,fof thefdryeraandfstand are described andshbwnas:identifying amapp ara'tusV suitable` to the practice; ofthe; invention, thesendetails are capable-Lofiwidef variationfforming no part ofthe invention. J i' As alfreaozly-` painted" out, the drying operation l is-'long Aandi-tedious andi-as at present practiced resultsA in a considerableamount of discomfort dueiid-:strain and cramping ofi' the necklVV and shoulder` mfnselesV incident to thef- 'attempt v to main-tain the head-in-properrelation to the dryer. The prolonged Aretention ofthe attitude described together with the 'application ofv heat cause-wearinessf-on-diiowsinesswith aA tendencyto relaxationV of tire lmfusoles and droopingor'nodding-of 'i the v head folliiwedbylsudden awakening whichV has The discomfort experienced is detrimental to the good-will of the establishment patronized and the nodding of the head and sagging of the muscles due to weariness cause loss of the proper drying position and consequent loss of time.

To overcome these difficulties the invention provides a support which is most conveniently attached to the vertically sliding rod 2l and mounted for adjustment thereon. The support includes a cushion or pad 1 adapted to engage the customer beneath the chnto prevent accidental displacement.` This cushion or pad 'I is mounted on a composite arm 8 `which as seen in plan is U shaped to partially encircle the customers neck to support the chin rest or pad from the dryer stand, which is necessarily at the customers back and usually opposite the center of the back. The term U shaped desig nates concavity toward one side. Y Y l The composite arm 8 is mounted on the vertically sliding rod' 2 of the stand l and is Aso arranged as toY provide for accurate positioningof the pad 'l in supporting'relation to the customers chin, whereby the head is held with the hair in drying relation to the dryer 5 which, according to usual practice is concaved downwardly. As already pointed out, it is essential that the pad with the supporting arm 8 be freely movable'to and from this position by and at the will of the customer so that her head may be supported in drying position and/or released' fromYK this position at times, as convenience, comfort and eniciency may dictate.`

' The arm 8, in the preferred form shown, comprises a bracket memberor arm 9 adapted to be secured to the rod 2 by means of aclamp Ill which may be vof the type shown secured by butterfly nuts I9 or in any suitable and'con known dryersare equipped thus adapting clamp I to engage the rod 2 ofany and all of -these dryers and maintain pad 'l at the proper location. f" f The bracket arm 9 isformed at its upper andv outer end with a boss Il havingits axis vertical. and' suitably bored .in a vertical direction to receive a sliding and rotary'pin l2 which carries formedthereon a sleeve clamp I4 to be'described. This boss I2, in the form shown, may be"pro"4 vided with positioning means l5 of a well known type comprising a4 helical spring |6- held in;` a radial hole I'l'byf means ofy a screw plug`l8. The spring I1 bears against a ball |9which is adapted to engage shallow sockets 28 and 2| in the pin 'I-2, whereby the latter andthe sleeve clamp-Mjtogether with 'the fore and aft arm 22 carried thereby areautomatically` positioned in on and oir or operative and inoperative arrangement. The pin I-2 and boss Il or equivalent-means are hereinafter referred to as an articulating connection Aor joint or an articulatable joint. Thefbracket arm 9 which is irregularly inclinedis preferably of web construction suitable tothe shape lllustratecl* and adapted to give Sufficient support in the offset relationdescribed. v

It is important to note that the bracket arm 9 is so shaped and disposed that the boss Il is offset backwardly from said bracket arm 9 in relation to the upright 2 as seen in plan Fig. 3. This arrangement as hereinafter more fully described permits the arm 22 to be swung in clockwise direction to a position at right angles to the operative position shown in Fig. 3 whereby it extends outwardly directly to the right of the customer, the latter being thus fully released and enabled to rise freely from .the chair.

The clamp I 4, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is preferably of the split sleeve type the sleeve I4 of such clamp having upper and lower horizontally projecting lips 25 and 26 adapted to be drawn together by a thumb Screw 21 to grip the fore and aft arm 22 thereby preventing its slidingY from adjusted position in the direction of its'length as best illustrated in Fig. 3.

It may be notedat this point that the arm 22 is preferably of thin tubular construction to give the desired lightness and to keep the amount of metal consumed to the minimum.

The arm 22 as shownA is providedwith a lon sure which'might crush the thin hollow fore andl aft arm 22, which isthuspermitted to be 'made of extreme lightness!" To'co-operate withlthe'key 28 the sleeve clamp Il!v is provided at the'top with a'keyway 29 to receive the key 28 vwhich Ais likewise at the top.

It is of interest to notethat Vin the form of the apparatus shown, according to the preferred pro portions in Fig. 3 thebracket arm 9 is so designed that the distance from the centerline of upright sliding rod 2 to the center of the arm 22 may be approximately seven inches. Greater spacing involvesmore metal and heavier parts or greater tendency to failure; less spacing causes the arm` to be uncomfortably. close to the face and neck,

the proportions being variable.

Suchproportions and arrangement bring the portion'of'the fore and aft arm 22 atX'in Fig. 3 directly rover the shoulder of the-.customer and hence this. portion of the arm must maintain a corresponding elevation. y

zontal and continuing tothe customers left at Z` in said ligure. f Y

This depression ofthe fore and aft arm-22 at Y and Z provides forvproper mounting of the pad 'l beneath the customers chin,it being customary for the customerL to sit with her back to the stand I, 2 with her (head in the -dryer 5. The depressionof the fore and aft arm22 `at Z provides room-for` a proper support for the pad {,underneatn the. chin while the arm 22 at X clears the shoulder..

This-pad 1, as shown, comprises a base 3| which to best advantage is hollowed out or dishedA c'o receive thesponge rubber or other suitable pad pending portion 32 which, inthe form shown, ter- Said base'3l ifs-providedv with'a central de minates -al pin 33lwhiclilisnorm-allyvvertical andi which-'turns andslidesfreelyinlla corne` sponding-hole-Syin tlirel'eft' endet-f the# ho izonal portion-Z of the foreland aftarmizz" Thus l the composite armA 8f includes thev bracket arri-1y 9 extending to the customers- :rightI 1 tor l left iffa: left .handedi device. is preferred).= 'Ihiszarm is` :preferably offset to. piac'e'thesboss H fand the pinl llsomewhat toV the. rearlor theupright. sliding rod Zf-Lior:the.l purpose stated; i.' e., lto permit. free swinging of the fore andlaftrarrm 222ftoithe cus.-A tomersrightandsubstantially'to-fulhrighizangular position. The composite ammi -iincludest forek and aft arm 222 andv mayralsoincludatheasleevaclamp I4 mounted: on the pini I 7s orfot'liersuitablefmount ing for vthe fore. and `ait arrm2f2 as'. shawn is,` adapted to.: be heldin saidasleeve clamp..V 'I'his armA is. curved` to the left and -depressednat its forward end. `at Y, Z; and :suitably borecliat,` 33'. providing'for the support-of the padal on a1ireely sliding-'andi rotating: pin.33.:in theiendiofthe fore anda aft; armi 22; detailsuoilthearmf anri the. pad mounting arev subject-1to1variation.`

Itis important:` that'V the: Ul. shaped composite arml 8 clear` the customens shoulder Vandhead or neck and, support the pad-l ,1I beneath-, the. chin; and that the armbe adapted to.:.be clampedat; one -endin vertically adjustable relation: to the.' vertically sliding rod 2 wherebythepadi moved up: and down as the drye`r-`1is adjusted to the height of the customer, the pad 1 being maintained at a corresponding height suitable to the support of the head with the scalp in drying relation to the dryer in the concavity of the same. It is also important that the arm 22 swing freely relatively to the bracket or stand to enable the customer to move the pad 'l into and out of cooperative relation to and with the dryer as already pointed out. When released by the unclamping screw 21 the arm 22 can be slid in fore and aft directions to a series of operative positions suitable to different customers and to various makes of dryers such positions being, if desired, designated by the graduations on key 28. Y

In the adjusted position of the support, the customers head, the chin being on the pad, is held with the crown or scalp and hair projecting into the dryer which is normally of inverted bowl or downwardly concave shape.

When thus supported the customer is subject to uniform drying action of the hair and with a proper expert adjustment for the right degree of heating, the most satisfactory result is attained in the shortest period of time. The customer is further free to relax `and doze without disturbing this relation or in any way changing it and at the same time whenever the customer for any reason desires to be released she can swing the fore and aft arm clockwise and be free to Withdraw her head from the dryer. It is also important that the customer is enabled to retain this position indenitely without elort and without nodding or muscular strain and without danger of cramping. If, for any reason, `the position becomes tiresome, the customer may swing the rest aside and change her position until rested and then immediately replace the support without losing the adjustment and resume the same drying position.

I have thus described my invention in the preferred form the description being specific and in detail ini-forder-ithat-the-fmannerf of: constructing, applying; operating; and; using they inventiommay bewfullyuunderstood;v however,A the specific.. terms hereinf areiusedl descriptively rather than. in; a limiting. sense',`` the scope ofthe invention, ,being defined in. the. claims. 9 Y

What .iIclainrrasvnew and desire toi secura'by LettersPatent isti 1. ahairidrying; apparatus having: a: downwardly: concave;` hair; dryer adapted; vto fltx over ther-head1; a chin supportingpacl beneathz the dryer.andispacedirdownwardly therefrom'` to engageV the @ch-ini fanrl holdxthe ,head with: the. scalp within.anda-in.` drying Yrelation to the-i dryer.; thecpadzhavingsa; supporting. arnnan upright ornwhich thes dryer isrsupported,v .a bracket and means for securing Ithe` bracket to' the:r upright for.: vertical ad-jiistmen,t` along` tha same,A an articulatable joint supported on saidbracket and supporting said armr aIIdhaVingmeans iorguiding. isaidt arm-onf approximately horizontal path e to; swing. horizontally: from adjusted `positiorr, permitting the' customer in` hair." drying position to move the part laterallyf frombeneath the dryer on; a. predetermined; approximately horizontalV pathf thereby releasing herself from then dryer and..Y to swingthe arm and pad in the reverse direction to replace. the.` pady beneath vthe chi-rr supporting. the.v head in .the same relation tothe dryer;4

2.V;.In:a haindrying apparatushai/ing` a downwardly concave dryer; with anupright stand; a chinlpadrion engaging .the chin from beneath and having'ia. supporting arm: mounted. on and' means for securing the same for adjustment vertically along said stand and in relation to the dryer, said mounting comprising an articulatable joint having means for guiding and supporting said arm whereby said arm is swingable laterally on an approximately horizontal path relatively to and beneath the dryer, the pad being adapted by the vertical adjustment to be spaced downwardly from the dryer to engage beneath the chin and support the head with the scalp in the concavity of the dryer and in drying relation thereto and being freely movable by the customer in hair-drying relation to the apparatus to swing to and from said position.

3. In a hair drying apparatus having a downwardly concave hair dryer and a vertically adjustable member on which the dryer is mounted; a chin pad, means whereby the pad is supported on said member in predeterminable downwardly spaced relation to the dryer to support the head from beneath the chin with the scalp in` the concavity of the dryer, the chin pad being thus adjustable in an approximately vertical direction with the dryer said supporting means further comprising an articulating connection for said arm permitting the chin pad to be moved laterally on a predetermined approximately horizontal path to release the head from the dryer, said lateral motion being obtained by operation of said articulating connection by the customer in hair-drying position, said connections having means supporting the arm and pad approximately on said'path.

4. In a hair drying apparatus having a downwardly concave dryer and a vertically adjustable member on which the dryer is mounted, `said member being at the back of the customer; a chin supporting pad, a horizontal arm for supporting said pad, said arm having a concavity at one side which in the operative position of the apparatus is toward the customer, a clamp supporting said arm and having means whereby Ait is engaged to said member and adjusted verti-f vcally thereon, means at the other end of the arm for supporting the pad,'said clamp having supported thereon an articulating joint which in turn supports the arm providing for a free lateral swinging motion of the arm` and pad" on a predetermined path, said swinging motion be# ing actuated by the customer in hair-drying position for 'locating the pad beneath the dryer tosupport the head in drying relation thereto whereby said pad may be engaged beneath the customers chin and released from this position by the customer and returned by her to supporting position without vertical readjustment.

5. A Vchin support for attachment to a dryer stand to support the head in drying relation to the dryer, the same comprising a bracket mounted for Vertical adjustment on Ythe stand,'v an aproximately horizontal arm and meanswhereby said arm is supported on the bracket for adjustment in fore and aft directions, said fore and aft'arm having a relatively depressed lateral inward extension at its` forward end and a chin supporting pad removably mounted on said la*- eral extension said supporting means comprising an uarticulating joint permitting the dryer to be freely Withdrawn from supporting position to release the head, said articulating joint being adapted to confine the chin pad to a predetermined approximately horizontal path at and adjacent its supporting position.

6. A chin support for attachment to' a dryer stand tosupport the head in dryingrelation to the dryer, the same comprising abracket mounted for vertical adjustment on the stand, a fore and aft arm, means whereby said arm is mount-l ed on the bracket for adjustment in the direction of its length, said fore and aft arm having a relatively depressed lateral extension iat itsforward end and a chin suporting pad removably mounted at the end of said lateral extension, said fore and aft arm having an articulating joint comprising guiding means whereby it is mounted toswing freely on va predetermined path which is aproximately horizontal at and adjacent the supporting position of the pad to move said pad into and out of vertical alignment with a dryer on said stand.

7. A chin support for attachment to a hair.- dryer stand to hold the head in drying relation to the dryer the same comprising a bracket, means whereby said bracket is mounted for vertical adjustment on the dryer stand anda fore and aft arm having a relatively .depressedlat-- eral extension at its forward end; a chin supporting padv mounted on said lateral extension and an articulating joint for supporting Ysaid fore and aft arm on said bracket for pivotal motion about an upright axis to and from chin supporting position and for translatory motion in a direction of the length of vthe arm, said arm support Ahaving means for preventing rotation of the arm about its long axisv and friction meanspermitting but controlling said pivotal motion which is conveniently operable by the customerin hair-drying position.

GERTRUDE M. HIGGINS. 

